Can-opener



(No'Model.)

E. A. WHEELER.

GAN OPENER.

No. 347,674. Patented Aug. 17, 1886.

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' view; Fig. 3, a transverse section in the plane Fig. 5 a transverse section of the same.

' the metal on that side dat, while the beveled 5o side ofthe blade bends the opposite cut edge,

-blade B, having a curved or convex cutting- NITED STATES VPATENT lirica.

EMORY A. WHEELEI OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 347,674, dated August 17, 1886.

Application filed August 2D, 18H5.

.To all whom, t may concern."l

Be it known .that I, EMORY A. WHEELER, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-,Openers of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, that will enable others to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specifieation.

This invention relates to improvements in can-openers; and it consists in certain novel features in the construction and operation of the device, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Figure l is a side elevation of a device embodying my improved features; Fig. 2, a top 3 3, Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 4 shows the incision or -path of the cutting-blade in the metal, and

Referring to the drawings, A represents the upper lever-handle Vwhen the implement is held in proper position for use, and A the companion lever-handle, these two handles being pivoted together at a. rlhe spring a', arranged between the handles, serves to automaticall y spread the same apart cach time that the pressure from the hand of the operator is relaxed.

The handle A is provided with the cuttingedge terminating` in the sharp point a2.

The fulcrum end of the companion handle A. consists of the two parallel bars b b', having the rectangular space or slot d between the same, as shown in Fig. 2. The cuttingblade B isiuscrted between these bars, and is set at one side and bears close against the inside faee oi' the bar I), leaving considerable space between the cutting-blade and the inner side of thefcompanion bar b', as shown. The cutting-edge of the blade B is beveled on the side next the bar b', a portion of said bar being broken away, as shown in Fig. 1, exposing the bevel-edge, the opposite side of blade being straight, thus producing a shearing cut against the bar b, leaving` the cut edge d of Serial No. 174,832. (No model.)

di, of the metal up between the blade and the bar b', by reason of the metal being bent over the lower inner corner oi' the bar b', as shown in Fig. 3, thus effectually preventing the cntting-blade from binding or being cramped between the edges of the metal, and enabling the operator to open a can with the greatest ease and facility.

The relative position ot' the cut edges of the metal after the operation is performed is shown in Figs. 8, Ll, and 5. It will be readily observed an d understood from this showing that it is impossible for the cutting-blade to stick or bind in its pathway, as the upturned edge d`y of the metal remains in the iixed position fis illustrated, thus insuring a free cutting movement. rlhc block d is inserted between the -ends of the bars b b, and serves as aiixed stop for the blade B, the point a of which extends a little beyond the block and ends of the bars b b', thus preventing the blade from cutting out. The extended or projecting point a2 is also a very essential fcaturein starting the incision, as that operation may be performed with the handles closed. It' the point of the cuttingblade did not project, the start would have to be made with the handles thrown open, as is ordinarily the ease, which is both awkward and inconvenient.

The hump or irregularity F in the handle A prevents the hand from slipping while manipulating the implement.

The peculiar construction and operation of the device permit of avery short curve being followed and a small opening made when a large one is not required.

The operation is as follows: Iheimplement should be tightly grasped in thchand with the handles closed and held nearly in a vertical position, with the handle A uppermost. The extended point ofthe cutting-blade is then forced through the metal and the handles gradually opened and worked until the incision islarge enough to insert the whole blade and the fulernm-bars brought to a bearing, when the handles may be opened to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l, and a full cut made at each stroke.

I am aware that can-openers formed of two handles pivoted together, one handle having IOO jaw pivoted to the iirst and having* a shear blade abutting' against one side ofthe rectangular slot, and leaving` a space between it and the opposite side of the rectangular slot, substantially as described, so that in cutting;` the surplus metal will have free play between the blade and bar b', for the purpose set forth.

EMORY A VHFITT/ER.

Vitnesses:

XVHJ'JAM H. SGHUYLER, J. B. DoNALsoN. 

